The Hooksett Banner ­ May 27, 2004

This week's stories: (click on the headline to jump to story)

Schools get aid Crusading against MS A vision of a better world Land value disputed Traffic solutions needed, says CEDCOH survey

Are you interested in chatting about Hooksett issues? Want to help plan Hooksett's future? Check out the new Internet chat group begun by the master plan committee at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hooksett_chat/ Auburn has a similar group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auburn/

See Hooksett Town warrants for the May 11 vote here.

School funding

Schools get aid

By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com

CONCORD ­ State legislators narrowly approved a last-minute compromise bill which will cut most local school districts a break on school funding ­ at least this year.

Under the newly passed legislation, the state will dole out $429 million in state education aid this year ­ less than last year, but nearly $200 million more than dished out by the formula already on the books.

After several hours of debate, Senate Bill 302 (SB302) ended up sailing through the House of Representatives, but only barely scraped through the Senate by a vote of 13-11 on Tuesday, May 25. Gov. Craig Benson said he did not like the bill, but will not veto it, allowing it to become law without his signature.

If SB302 had failed, the formula in place would have drastically reduced state aid for several area towns, including Hooksett, Auburn, Epsom and Candia. Under the new legislation, only Candia and Auburn will still see reductions in state aid ­ and by a much smaller amount.

The question of how to retool the state's education aid distribution formula has been a focus of debate for much of the legislative session, but it seemed unlikely the old legislation would be replaced.

However, several weeks ago, State Attorney General Peter Heed expressed concerns the old legislation would be declared unconstitutional.

Under the approved SB302, the state property tax will rise by nine cents to $3.33 per $1,000. A House proposal to increase the state's tobacco tax was rejected by the Senate.

Past formulas targeted education aid toward school districts dependent on the number of high school students, poor students and disabled students. Those are tossed out in SB302, and the new formula only targets aid towards communities with high poverty levels and low property values.

Despite the benefit to most area towns, some school officials are skeptical of the new law.

Scott Gross, school board chairman for Goffstown, said in middle-class towns the initial reaction to the new formula may be positive. However, he said, the new plan is by no means a long-term solution.

"I think in the short term when (local taxpayers) look at this and say 'Oh that's great. We'll save some money!' But, it's still not a viable solution. It's purely a band-aid," he said.

The problem, says Gross, is that in future years, the bill restricts funding increases to the cost of inflation.

Traditionally, this has been around 2 percent a year ­ much less than the increases in local school operating budgets which typically are around 8 percent. Gross and other local school district officials say human resource costs, such as health insurance premiums which can rise by as much as 25 percent a year, drive their budgets.

Candia

Crusading against MS

By JUDITH DIONNE
Staff Writer
jdionne@yourneighborhoodnews.com

Candia Moore School student Jackie Kuhn, 9, knows all too well the fear of living with a loved one who has multiple sclerosis (MS), a baffling disease for for those afflicted and their loved ones.

Multiple sclerosis is thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms of MS include abnormal fatigue, severe vision problems, loss of balance and muscle coordination making walking difficult, slurred speech, tremors, stiffness or bladder problems, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Jackie's mother, Kathy Kuhn, said it's been hard on her daughter and she often feels angry and helpless to do anything for her. To help in some way, young Jackie has become active in the Multiple Sclerosis Walk to raise money for MS research and awareness. She became involved three years ago following her mother's diagnosis at that time. This year, Jackie organized her most successful campaign to date, said Kathy Kuhn. On Saturday, May 8, the Candia Crusaders MS Walk Team participated in the 5-mile walk. This team of 38 members raised more than $18,000 in the Manchester area, said Crusader team member and Candia resident Colleen Bolton. The team held fundraisers, such as a breakfast, and collected contributions door to door , said Kathy Kuhn. Bolton's son, Patrick, raised $1,428 through the generosity of 39 sponsors, and Jackie raised close to $3,000, of which $1,000 was a grant from Sam's Club, she said. "The whole community rallied to support the team," said Kathy Kuhn. "Numerous local businesses and organizations supported us and so did the (Candia Moore) school." In fact, Bolton said, many Candia Moore School students were counted among the fund-raisers and walkers, several of whom are friends and classmates of Jackie.

SIGNUPS ­ An MS Walk volunteer helps Jackie Kuhn, 9, get registered for a walk to raise money for research into multiple sclerosis. This was Kuhn's third walk for MS since her mother was diagnosed with the disease three years ago. Kuhn, along with community members and classmates from the Candia Moore School organized their largest team to date for the event held on Saturday, May 8. (Courtesy Photo)

The walk itself exceeded its anticipated goal of $70,000, and raised over $82,000 in Manchester, said Kathy Kuhn. In the Massachusetts and New Hampshire region alone, $1.4 million was raised.

"The Crusaders can be very proud of the work they've done," she said. "Our small community really came together to support us and we were able to donate a large sum of money for the cause."

Although quick to give the team all the credit, Bolton points out that they would never have come together had it not been for Jackie and Kathy Kuhn.

"The Kuhns fund-raised tirelessly, had a team Web site, compiled team newsletters, provided the team with hats for the walk and even hosted a post-event party," said Bolton.

"MS is frightening. At any time someone may suddenly be unable to stand up, hug their child or see a friend across the room," said Kathy. "I hope the effort we put forth will help to aid the research needed to end this disease."

Pembroke

A vision of a better world

Local animated movie maker takes first short film public

By ERIC BAXTER Correspondent Some of Anthony Gioseffi's first, and best, memories were of art and music. He remembers his father, Tom, singing in the car and his own interest in drawing and painting. As he got older, his years at Salem High School honed his raw illustration skills and his interest in music led him to help form and play "Sage," a local group of rockers with big dreams. But it wasn't until he met his then girlfriend, now wife, Kim, a passionate devotee of the early works of Walt Disney, that his many interests gelled into one single artistic medium ­ animated movies. But now, three years after the idea of bringing his larger vision of reality and ethics to the big screen, Gioseffi is shopping "Awake in the Garden" to larger film houses from his studio in Pembroke, Gio Entertainment, and hoping someone takes notice. "This is something I always wanted to do," said Gioseffi. "It's been a long time in coming, but it's worth it."

INTERNET MOVIE ­ Anthony Gioseffi's Pembroke animation studio has created a movie about mankind's effect on Earth. Here, Gioseffi has created an illustration that incorporates himself into the movie. (Courtesy Illustration.)

The 15-minute short meshes old school two-dimensional animation rendered in a mix of soft water colors and sharper colored drawings with music produced by "Sage" during the years Gioseffi was a part of the band and some more contemporary pieces composed for the film itself. While Gioseffi, like his wife, is a fan of traditional animation, his own film took a decided technological twist when he assembled the cels, produced with the help of a variety of artistic friends, music and voice through a computer-based animation program.

But more than the technical aspects of the piece, Gioseffi was concerned with telling a good story. For him, that meant not only spinning a full tale, one that follows the complete arc of beginning, middle and end seen in larger movies, but also telling a story that had meaning.

Gioseffi graduated from the New England Institute of Art, then the Massachusetts School of Communication, in 2001, just a few months before the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

"I felt like I'd really love to do something," said Gioseffi, 29.

The answer was "Awake in the Garden," what Gioseffi characterized as a social commentary on the fact that everything people do affects the world.

In the beginning, a star, really a cosmic consciousness known as "The One," brings the universe into being and then populates it with planets and finally people. But something goes wrong and people become more interested in the pleasures of the body than the wisdom of the mind.

The One names a representative, Demetrius, and sends him to earth to investigate. When he reaches the planet he is guided through fields and forests by an ethereal being named "Serenity." But the idyllic paradise, and ethereal music, end when Demetrius reaches the city, announced by cut trees and foul air. The film gets darker and the music heavier. Demetrius meets with the worst of urban sprawl and laments the condition of humankind and sees it is on a path of destruction. How the movie ends is something best left to the viewer.

For Gioseffi, animation was the only choice for his vision of a better world and why the field of animation has become so attractive.
"Anything you can imagine you can put on paper and animate. You can't do that with live action," he said. "There's a whole kind of magic to it you can't find anywhere else."

Gioseffi's movie can be viewed at www.geocities.com/ gioentertainment.

Auburn

Land value disputed

Auburn selectman want to take
property by town hall; owner says it's worth more

By JUDITH DIONNE
Staff Writer
jdionne@yourneighborhoodnews.com

Land next to Auburn Town Hall may be taken by eminent domain to provide more parking, but the property owner is disputing the land's value.

Goffstown resident Brenda Trott became the owner of the small lot next to town hall following the death of her sister, Patricia, in a fire that destroyed the home on that lot. Trott is willing to sell the land at an appropriate price, but questions Auburn's valuation of the property.

Unable to decide whether she wanted to sell the land or rebuild on it, Trott began to look into the value of the parcel.
"I went to town hall and was told it was worth $129,000," she said. "I was surprised because it's such a small lot, but was told because it was waterfront, it was considered prime."

Days later she got papers from town hall stating the value was $85,900 and the appraisal had been done by Avitar.

"I went and asked my brother who lives in Auburn (to check the appraisal) and he pulled out the preliminary assessment book of Auburn and there it was $129,000," said Trott. "I went and asked town hall how come the difference. They said they went and adjusted some properties they thought were wrong."

A day after the tax bill for $85,900, Trott got a new assessment from the town saying she got a new estimate by Fremeau for $65,000 to $70,000. In three months it devalued 50 percent? She said she needed answers.

At the Monday, May 24, selectmen's meeting, Trott was not any closer to getting answers, however.

Auburn Selectman Harland Eaton told Trott the town would be granting her a tax abatement on the property because she was still being taxed on the house, which was burned down in the 2003 fire.

Although pleased with the abatement, Trott still wanted answers regarding the eminent domain proceeding on her land.
"We really can't discuss anything about the property tonight," said Eaton. "We will be heading into negotiations shortly.

"There's still much to discuss about next door," he added. "For the sake of the family, these negotiations should be done in private."

An April 26 meeting was held to determine whether there was sufficient need by the town for the land. Since the town had come to an impasse in negotiating for the land, the selectmen felt they needed to take the property by eminent domain, according to the minutes.

Eaton said this is not something the selectmen want to do, but have to, based on the needs of the entire town.

In the minutes, Selectman David Anderson said taking the property by eminent domain was not their first choice. However, the 45-foot-wide lot is there and solves the parking problem at town hall, as well as possibly allowng room for a new septic tank or well.

Several residents in attendance raised concerns about whether the town hall would be staying where it is because of the well and septic problems. They didn't want this family's land taken, then see the town hall move.

Prior to the selectmen voting to continue with the eminent domain proceeding, Trott pleaded with them, saying the family doesn't feel the selectmen made enough of an attempt to negotiate. She added that her family has a long history of service to the town, including her grandfather, who was the fire warden. She said she didn't want to lose her family heritage this way, adding that if a fair price is offered, she would entertain it.

Hooksett

Traffic solutions needed, says CEDCOH survey

By KAREN BRAYNARD
Correspondent

If you had the opportunity to voice your opinion in a way that could have affect the future of your town, would you take it?

Last June and July, 255 residents of Hooksett were given that opportunity through a survey, and although only 168 answered, that translated into a response rate of 67 percent, which is considered a very high rate for self-administered mail-in surveys. This survey had a margin of error of 10 percent.

The Community Economic Development Corporation of Hooksett, more easily remembered as CEDCOH (pronounced "said-ko") presented this survey to a random sampling of residents in an effort to study the preferences of Hooksett residents relating to several public issues. CEDCOH is a volunteer organization made up of active community residents and leaders who realize the importance of Hooksett's master plan and the growing concern for the economic development of Hooksett.

There were 17 questions focused on characteristics and terms of residence of families, civic participation, adequacy of services, cost of services, municipal annual budget and spending, and more.

The results will be used by the CEDCOH to establish a baseline of residents' attitudes towards various issues such as traffic, economic development, housing, recreation and safety. In addition to residents' concerns, the group will also be able to measure any changes as they take place and evaluate goals and activities accordingly.

"The interesting thing about the survey is that the timing was prior to last year's increases in property taxes," When asked about the implications of the survey results, said CEDCOH Chairman Dawn Stanhope. "Our thoughts are that some of the questions asked would probably have different answers if the survey was sent back out after revaluation. For the most part, participants were fairly consistent in the fact that they viewed many of the services in town as adequate and they are not willing to pay for expansion of them through an increase in taxes at this time."

The responses toward transportation issues in Hooksett are a good example of this.

When asked if they were able to change the expenditure on the services that the town provides without changing the town's total budget (that is, no new taxes), participants were 63.7 percent in favor of new roads to ease traffic. And 75.2 percent of participants said that new road construction to address traffic congestion was inadequate. But, only 58.9 percent agreed to expand the provision of new road construction through an increase in their property taxes.

Another result was that 64.2 percent of those polled said they live in Hooksett for the rural character of the town. Yet, when asked about the adequacy of historic and other trails and permanent open spaces, 43.8 percent of the residents polled said they did not know whether conservation-related services were adequate or not.

While most people responding thought that new businesses were adequate, of those responses, only 13.1 percent were employed directly in Hooksett. There were 60.7 percent who work outside of Hooksett. It was the creation of high-paying jobs for Hooksett residents, which was rated inadequate, with only 16.5 percent feeling that Hooksett jobs paid well.

"This suggests that while people feel that business development has beengrowing," said Stanhope, "it is not necessarily the type of growth that would offer them employment opportunities."

Members of CEDCOH hope the results of the survey will inform the town that its residents need to be innovative in how their needs are funded and look for outside resources to contribute towards their goals as a community.

To meet these efforts, CEDCOH is educating residents through workshops, meetings with the planning board and other local officials. The nonprofit organization's Web site, www.cedcoh.org, is another avenue way residents can inform themselves about their growing community.

"It seems to hold consistent that people want things improved, but through other means besides property tax increases to residents" said Stanhope. "If the town can show that the funding of the roadway can be done with sources beyond property taxes, perhaps a small amount of investment will be possible in the future."

Reeling them in

Hooksett Cub Scout Pack 292 held its Pack Picnic and Fishing Derby on Sunday, May 23, at a pond near the Hooksett library. Here, Nathan Duchesne, Cameron St. George and Kenny Scott (a Troop 292 Boy Scout) throw their lines in. (Jeff Scott Photo)